a coffee date...

If we were on a coffee date, it would probably look more like big cups of vanilla almond milk and a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. 

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about influence and impact. This weekend, I was reminded of the weight of shepherding the hearts of and showing my high school girls Jesus. It's a good weight, but a weight nonetheless. Who are you shepherding? Who are you showing Jesus to?

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you about the hard places that my heart has been in the past couple weeks. The prayers that are being prayed are new, and not just new for the situation, but new to my whole 26 year old life. It's a little scary, but God is in control and is in the business of being sovereign (unlike us).

If we were on a coffee date, I would gush about Paul E. Miller's "A Praying Life". This book has changed my theology of prayer in all the good ways. I would ask you about your prayer life... How do you pray? What are you praying for? What are you afraid to seek God about?

If we were on a coffee date, I would also gush about "Looking For Lovely" by Annie Downs. Y'all, I bought this book Saturday morning and I was finished by Sunday night. Her writing just gets me, and the best part? IT FEELS LIKE A COFFEE DATE. If you want to borrow it, just let me know, but you should probably buy your own copy because you will want to highlight all the things and write little notes in the margins. 

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about "Fixer Upper: Season 2". That coffee shop couple? HOLY MOSES THEY ARE PRECIOUS. Joanna and Chip, can you a.) make me a house and b.) be my best friends? 

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you to read "When Nothing is New" by Greer Oharah. Everything she says here is so good and needed, especially in a culture that expects, creates, and yearns for constant movement and mountain-top experiences. "We find depth when we walk along the same path everyday." YES. SO GOOD.  

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about money and how I am really trying to be a responsible adult with my tax refund, loans, etc. 

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that Scrivener is hands down the most brilliant software to ever happen to my life. It is built for writers and is so dang simple. I actually got really emotional about it. Does that make me a nerdy girl now? 

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about my relationship with my dad. We would talk about the new hope that I have, that maybe the path to redemption is near. 

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that my heart is longing for the summer. For those of you who know my inner most being, you know that summer is not my jam, so this is new for me. My heart is craving the beach, a good book, a big acai bowl/balboa bar, and bonfires. Really, I am just so excited for summer adventures. 

If we were on a coffee date, I would ask you how you are doing, what you are reading, and are you just as obsessed with Joanna Gaines as much as I am? (Honestly, I may need an intervention.)

#bestthirtysix...

Two thousand and fifteen.

I wanted to get away to write this; I wanted to take a retreat to really spend time with the Lord and dwell on this past year and the year that lies ahead. But, sitting here at the local Starbucks, I think that the Lord is speaking just the same. This year has been abundant; I mean abundant in every single way, in both the trials and the joys. There has been an abundance of laughter and blessing, but also an abundance of change and mourning; an abundance of life and also death. 

As the year began, the Lord spoke softly to my heart a theme… "Be still." Throughout this year, the words of Psalm 46:10 were an encouragement and a comfort… "Cease striving, be still, and know that I am God…" Stillness, it's not my spiritual gift, but with each moment and lesson this past year, it was the sweet whisper that the Lord was faithful to give… "As you wait for this new position… be still. As you end seven years of junior high ministry… be still. As you pray through your singleness… be still. As you mourn the death of your grandpa… be still. As your best friend moves overseas… be still. As you welcome new babies and take on the title of "Aunt Kristi"… be still. As you seek God… be still. As you wait for God to move… be still." This year, I saw God move mountains and open floodgates in the stillness. This year taught me that stillness on our part allows for movement on His part. 

Social media has been blowing up with the idea of the #bestnineofinstagram. I love this campaign, but when I generated mine, I had a few thoughts. First off, this is generating the photos that "the people" (whoever they may be to you) liked most, NOT what I liked most about my year. Second, NINE SQUARES? You guys, only nine little squares?! That's not the way that I roll… So, here I am (and on Instagram!) with 36 teeny, tiny squares of memories and moments, reminding me that this year has been hard and rich and full. I want to stop and rest in that, just for today. 

This year has been incredible! When I look at the little details, I recognize it's true fullness. When I look back on 2015, I will look back to when I went to the IF: Gathering in Austin, TX, ended my time serving in vocational ministry at my church, started a new job at CBU, transitioned from junior high ministry to high school ministry, bought a new car, mourned the passing of my Grandpa, became an Aunt for many sweet little babies, turned twenty six, drank too many hawaiian lattes, was published at Incourage, had conversations with Annie Downs via Twitter, read some incredible books, watched every season of "Parks & Recreation",  quit my job as a substitute teacher and barista, went on my first date ever, got seriously healthy and became a runner/jogger, saw great movies, ate great food (mostly BBQ and Mexican), took rest very seriously, went to the 1989 Taylor Swift concert, went to a Luke Bryan concert, went to a Brett Eldredge concert, went to a Shane and Shane concert, learned the importance of FaceTime dates with my best friend living in Ecuador, had a house broken in to, went to Disneyland, spent a lot of time driving around my town and praying, had hard conversations with the Lord, learned a lot about myself, bought a rug, started a retirement fund, and nurtured old friendships and made some new ones. And I am sure I am forgetting a lot of other things! Man, 2015 was rich. (But please note, 2015 was NOT the year that I became rich. #targetstealsallmymoney)

I have spent time in prayer over 2016, asking the Lord to reveal a theme to me. I sat with an expectant heart, waiting to glean what He would speak. I am excited to share that with you all in the coming week, but for now, I am leaning into the gleanings of this past year rather than the excitement for the new one, because there is a lot there. 

So here's to 2015, the year that has come and gone. Whether you want to forget it forever or relive those memories for years to come, I pray that you would lean into the things that God has done for you. May the pains and the joys be redeemed by the work of Christ! Raise your glass (of sparkling cider) and celebrate that there is a time for everything, for mourning and for dancing (and lets hope tonight is full of dancing!)!

Cheers to 2015, friends! 

all the things: october...

People, October is hands down my favorite month of the year and I hate that it is over. Even though Southern California is not really getting the whole Fall memo, I wish that every month could be October.

Here are all the things (a lot of things!) of October:

What More Do You Want?: Everyone needs to watch this right now. Annie Downs is one of my favorite authors/speakers/people in this entire world. I fully believe that we would be best friends if we lived in the same city. I love her heart for God and for this idea that we are living the good life NOW. Whatever you are waiting for (a job, a marriage, a child, etc.), know that God knows and God sees and He is in control. Trust His timing, trust His character.

Jason Derulo: You guys, I went to a live taping of a particular show with a few friends this past month, and let me tell you, I have no words. I will say that I probably won’t go to another taping (unless it is for Ellen Degeneres or Jimmy Fallon), but seeing Jason Derulo without a shirt… Worth it, worth all four hours of standing. I also ate my feelings in burgers and fries that night because JASON DERULO WITHOUT A SHIRT.

Kick The Dust Up Tour: I also went to see Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, and Dustin Lynch this month for the “Kick The Dust Up Tour”. Luke Bryan kept sneezing on stage and chasing it with a shot of tequila, but you know what, I love that man and his music. Also, Randy Houser was the most pleasant surprise; that man has PIPES. Like, I want him to sing me to sleep every night. We had so much fun and I am already ready for next summer and all the country tours to roll back in to town!

WhenYou Have An Overly Expressive Face: People, this is me. I have gotten in to SO MUCH trouble because I wear my emotions and reactions on my precious face. I often look much like Kristen Wiig in that photo. 

Adele and Bieber: YOU GUYS THESE SONGS. “Hello” and “Sorry” have been the soundtrack to October.

Dating:Are We Doing It Wrong?: Okay, so this. I wish that I had written this article myself because it is good good good. We live in a time (in this church) where we are terrified to be vulnerable and to date and confess that none of us know what the heck we are doing. Coffee dates are NOT marriage proposals, people. Please read this, you will not regret it!

Twenty-Six: This month I turned 26, and it has been one of my favorite birthdays! I am thankful for what 25 was for me and am excited for what 26 will be; did you get a chance to read about everything I learned in these past years? Read HERE.

Pumpkins, Wheelbarrows, and Halloween: Halloween is my most favorite holiday ever. I love carving pumpkins, going to the pumpkin patch, passing out candy, dressing up, drinking cider… It’s just the best! This year, my college roommates and I spent the day at a local pumpkin patch going through the corn maze and picking out pumpkins. We spent the rest of the night eating candy, drinking cider, carving pumpkins, and watching “Hocus Pocus”. It was the absolute best. Also, I carved my pumpkin as an ode to my favorite emoji: HEART EYES. It turned out perfect. Halloween was perfect.

So friends, how was your month?

Are we ready for November?